DEP Accepting Comments on Water Withdrawal Permit for CNX Midstream in Westmoreland County

The permit would allow construction of a water intake structure in the Beaver Run Reservoir to support shale gas development.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 7:21pm

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A photorealistic studio still life featuring a series of polished metal pipes and valves arranged on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the complex water infrastructure required to support shale gas development in the region.The intricate web of pipes and valves required to extract water from the Beaver Run Reservoir highlights the growing tension between community water needs and shale gas development.Today in Pittsburgh

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is accepting public comments on a permit for CNX Midstream Operating Company to construct a water intake structure in the Beaver Run Reservoir in Westmoreland County. The reservoir is a primary water source for nearly 123,000 people in the region, and shale gas drillers have increasingly relied on the reservoir to support their operations, leading to concerns about water availability.

Why it matters

The Beaver Run Reservoir is a critical water source for the local community, and the increased demand from shale gas operations has led to water use restrictions in the past. This permit would further enable shale gas development in the region, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of the reservoir and potential impacts on the local water supply.

The details

The proposed project involves the construction of a floating intake structure and associated pipelines and support structures to withdraw water from the Beaver Run Reservoir. Another shale gas driller, Olympus Energy (now EQT Corporation), already operates water withdrawal structures on the same reservoir. The volume of water used by shale gas drillers in the area led CNX Resources to develop a $20 million Kiski Water Pipeline project in 2024 to bring water to the region to support their operations.

  • The DEP published notice of the permit application in the April 4, 2026 Pennsylvania Bulletin.
  • The public comment period is open until May 4, 2026.
  • No hearing has been scheduled, but one can be requested.

The players

CNX Midstream Operating Company, LLC

The company that has applied for the permit to construct a water intake structure in the Beaver Run Reservoir.

Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County

The operator of the Beaver Run Reservoir, which is one of two primary sources of water for nearly 123,000 people in the region.

Olympus Energy (now EQT Corporation)

Another shale gas driller that operates water withdrawal structures on the Beaver Run Reservoir.

CNX Resources

The company that developed a $20 million Kiski Water Pipeline project in 2024 to bring water to the region to support shale gas operations.

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

The state agency that is accepting public comments on the permit application and will ultimately decide whether to issue the permit.

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What they’re saying

“We must ensure that the Beaver Run Reservoir remains a sustainable water source for the local community, even as shale gas development increases in the region.”

— D.J. Stevenson, DEP Southwest Regional Office, Oil and Gas Management Program

What’s next

The DEP will review public comments and make a decision on whether to issue the permit. If a hearing is requested, it will be scheduled at a later date.

The takeaway

This permit highlights the ongoing tension between the water needs of the local community and the demands of the shale gas industry in the region. As shale gas development continues, ensuring the long-term sustainability of critical water sources like the Beaver Run Reservoir will be a key challenge for policymakers and regulators.